The Ekklesia Project - Episode 68

A freedman of God hosting a journey to discover the lost ekklesia of God.
In this episode we finalize our analysis of 1 Corinthians 11:17-19. We continue to pursue an answer as to how an ekklesia of God, though beginning with sons of the Kingdom, can devolve into an environment of jealousy and strife, leading to chaos or even to the promotion of an evil doer as a prominent leader and bully in the ekklesia. We examine Luke 13:22-30 regarding the narrow gate, Parables of the Sower and the Seed, Wheat and Tares, and the Net in Matthew 13 as further warnings of Christ regarding impostors and evil doers within the unperfected Kingdom of God on Earth. In addition, we look at the Parables of the Ten Virgins, Talents, and the illustration of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25 to provide more insight into the characteristics of deluded impostors and evil doers that one should expect to be among the members of an ekklesia of God. We also analyze the seven woes expressed by Jesus regarding the hypocrisy and lawlessness of the Pharisees, though appearing clean and righteous to men. Again, such people might easily be among the members of an ekklesia of God, causing confusion and detrimental counsel that might lead to the demise of the ekklesia. Finally, we carefully consider Paul’s prophetic warning to Timothy recorded in 2 Timothy 3 regarding self-serving and deceived leaders, “holding to a form of godliness” but denying its power, who will not spare the flock, but will rise up and deceive others, which has become a reality today. We highlight the remedy Paul gives to escape from such deceptions and entrapment, that is, to personally examine the Scriptures “which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
“16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”